NatureScot Commissioned Report 945 - Infaunal and PSA analyses of benthic samples collected from around the Isle of Arran, Loch Fyne and Orkney in July and August 2015

This report presents the findings of an analysis of 97 seabed sediment samples collected in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) around Arran, Loch Fyne and Orkney in 2015. For each sample, faunal components were identified and a sediment particle size analysis (PSA) carried out. Live maerl fragments found in samples from Arran and Orkney were also measured.

The early 2015 MPA surveys aimed to:

• examine the spatial distribution of protected habitat features in the surveyed areas
• establish a baseline against which to gauge the effectiveness of new MPA management measures in South Arran Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area (NCMPA) and Upper Loch Fyne and Loch Goil NCMPA

As well as collecting samples, divers assessed the extent of the flame shell bed at Otter Spit, Loch Fyne and set permanent transects in five locations. The coverage of nest material was also recorded on these transects and at a series of spot dives. The report briefly explores the data.

A separate report covers the analysis of infaunal samples taken later in 2015 from South Arran NCMPA. See: NatureScot Commissioned Report 946

Another report covers the analysis of seabed video imagery taken during the Clyde Sea surveys. See: NatureScot Commissioned Report No. 960 (forthcoming)

Pages: 142
Published: 2017

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